Private Professional Patient Advocacy Programs

Private patient advocacy, the opportunity to work one-on-one with patients, paid by patients or their caregivers, or perhaps by a patient’s employer, are the fastest growing segment of advocacy.

Please note that most of these programs will tell you they provide you with patient advocacy certification. However, they may give you a certificate when you complete the program, but that is not a nationally recognized certification.

The Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA) Formerly known as the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, the Aging Life Care Association provides support to those who work with individual patients and caregivers through education and professional development.

Patient Advocacy Certificate Program
The University of Miami offers this online program that provides a wide range of training and activities ranging from communications skills, to ethics, to financing healthcare and marketing.

UC Berkeley Extension Health Advocacy Program
This program is designed for those who may be working in health-related fields, as well as those who are interested in working in those fields. Its coursework covers a range of topics from the health insurance industry, to the continuum of options for patients, plus health policy and ethics.

Colorado Patient Navigator Training
Courses are for patient navigators, social workers, nurses and community healthcare workers who want a basic understanding of issues and practices related to patient navigation.

Healthcare Liaison developed the first advocacy program specializing in training licensed professionals. They use video conferencing for all training. Small groups, individualized programming.

Heartwood Health
Spend one or two days learning about The Emerging Field of Patient Advocacy These seminars are held throughout the year in different locations. CEUs are available for RNs, MFCCs and LCSWs.

The National Institute of Whole Health offers a Patient Health Advocate Program which focuses both advocacy and the business of being a patient advocate, to be applied in all health care, medical care, patient services and private patient care environments.

The Patient Best program offers a 12 to 15 week program of online instruction ranging from care coordination to ethics and business practices for those who wish to develop an independent advocacy practice.

NEW!PracticeUP! Online offers online business courses and more, tailored to the learning needs of private, independent health and patient advocates. Many courses are offered for free, or at discounts for members of The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates.

Sonoma State University (California)
This program in Patient Advocacy and Navigation provides a special emphasis on Integrative Health Care.

Southern Vermont Collegeoffers a both a bachelors degree and a certificate program in Healthcare Management and Advocacy.

UCLA Extension Certificate Program in Patient Advocacy
helps students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills needed to excel in this rewarding career playing a vital role in the evolving health care system. Complete this certificate in as little as 1 year, or take up to 3 years.

The University of Wisconsin offers two graduate certificates, one for working professionals and non-traditional students, and a second one for its current students who are currently enrolled at UW in another major relating to advocacy.